Birthright #4

The high-concept genre mash-up Birthright continues Mikey’s mission to stop the mages that have fled Terrenos. They finally reach the first, Ward the Betrayer…an old hermit living in the woods. This may seem like it’s straight out of a side-scrolling videogame with a boss at the end of the level, but Joshua Williamson and the rest of his creative team imbues the material with real psychological/emotional conflict and vivid imagery.

What most readers will be drawn to, this issue included, is Mikey’s adventures in Terrenos and how he becomes the predestined “hero”. Williamson conveys that even after years of training and battle; the protagonist is still flawed, further deconstructing the quintessential hero of the fantasy genre. Elements like this are what make post-modern works so fascinating to read!

Andrei Bresson and Adriano Lucas bring such vibrancy to the writing; each cover so far immediately catches ones eye. The real backbone is the family dynamic/conflict, which Bresson excels at in imparting to the audience. His facial expressions carry real emotion and capture them so well in the moment. Lucas really comes to the forefront when the fantastical elements come into play. The final full-page shot is an absolute emerald beauty.

Only four issues in and Birthright is another home run for Williamson. Fans of fantasy, drama, or mystery will be pleased with this title; a bit of something for everyone. World building is a complicated feat and these creators are developing two in one book masterfully. Pick this comic up!

I was exposed to comics early on, one of my earliest vivid memories was picking up the entire run of Dark Horse’s Aliens vs. Predator(1990). Odd and perhaps morbid choice for a kid, I know...At the same time, I was immersed in the pop culture of the time which included, but not limited to: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and of course, Batman: The Animated Series. Upon reflection, it’s fairly evident why I’m such a zealous geek. My day job is in television operations, so basically I’m exposed to media at every turn, which is where I want to be! Writing comic book reviews is another outlet to convey my respect and fanaticism for the this graphic medium. I hope what I have to say will resonate with others and also spark heart-felt discussion. Simon Pegg said it best, “Being a geek is extremely liberating.”